Icon of the seas key question

[Bocafam]

My family and I are cruising on the icon of the seas in April of 2025 and we were wondering if it is worth it to spend the extra money on buying the key. Are the perks of having it worth the extra money? What are your thoughts?

[SilkySal]

8 minutes ago, Bocafam said:

My family and I are cruising on the icon of the seas in April of 2025 and we were wondering if it is worth it to spend the extra money on buying the key. Are the perks of having it worth the extra money? What are your thoughts?

Welcome to CC! In my opinion, the key is not worth the $$ for what you get but everybody is different. If it appeals to you do it, if not, don't. The only extra perks that I consider worth it are the perks one gets with booking a full suite. The brand new Icon (we're booked on her in November, 2025) has many very nice suite only areas, which we intend to fully enjoy next year. We usually book balcony rooms but decided to try the full suite experience next year and ours will cost $7500 for the Surfside Family Suite (sleeps 4). We will probably never even leave the suite areas if only just to tour the ship to see everything else. To each his/her own! Enjoy your cruise! Cheers!

Edited June 22 by SilkySal
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[Ourusualbeach]

I only find the key worth it at a price point of $20 or less

Edited June 22 by Ourusualbeach

[Tree_skier]

@Ourusualbeach's assessment is my assessment too.  I've had it a couple of times. The only real value I find in it is if you get really really close to the price you'd pay for internet only.  

 

The priority embarkation is nice but they have streamlined the process so much that even that is almost a waste of money.  

 

Check the price of internet for everyone in your group and then add embarkation lunch in a specialty restaurant and if the price is more than 10% higher than that I'd say the answer is no....

Edited June 22 by Tree_skier

[leaveitallbehind]

I'm on the side of not much real value for the money.  In general I agree with @Ourusualbeach with the price point consideration, and with the comments by @Tree_skier.  And maybe not even then......

 

IMO, you have to keep in mind that anything offered for additional purchase beyond the basic cruise fare benefits the cruise line first - and most.

Edited June 22 by leaveitallbehind

[Merion_Mom]

I have two booked Icon cruises.  The Key has a price of $55.  The only reasonable response to that is HELL NO.

[taglovestocruise]

31 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

I have two booked Icon cruises.  The Key has a price of $55.  The only reasonable response to that is HELL NO.

Absolutely agree. $ 220 per day for a family of four, crazy

[leaveitallbehind]

26 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

Absolutely agree. $ 220 per day for a family of four, crazy

Maybe $60 per day in real value, $160 per day to the cruise line - LOL

[smokeybandit]

It's only worth it if it's within a couple dollars of the internet package and you plan to use every aspect of The Key.

[Another_Critic]

1 hour ago, Merion_Mom said:

I have two booked Icon cruises.  The Key has a price of $55.  The only reasonable response to that is HELL NO.

I've had cruise fares that were that price per day.  My last cruise (Spring Oasis TA) was ~$55/day (after OBC) for an OV Balcony and that was for Solo.

[MandyMooToo]

I will echo some of the sentiments here.  We have done the Key before, but inly when it was pretty closet the internet package price.  The included lunch is nice but the limited hours for said lunch can be a PITA if you aren't boarding early-ish.  We don't like letting go of the carryons wither as they typically have meds/whatever jewelry we may wear/passports/electronics, etc. so that is not a benefit and few tender ports when and where we cruise. Also getting onboard takes very little time now so the priority there is devalued, IMO.